December 21, 2014, 7:00AM

By agreeing on a spending bill, the outgoing Congress made it easy on the next Congress, except when it comes to funding Homeland Security and the president's immigration directives, the editorial board writes. Full story »

October 05, 2013, 11:10AM

It's perfectly simple: You pay for what you want. Most of us know this, right? If we want a car, we pay for it. If we want a hamburger, we pay for that. No tooth fairy is going to leave a car, or even a burger, under our pillow. What we want -- what we really want -- is... Full story »

May 21, 2013, 3:49AM

Congressional Republicans in Washington, D.C., continue to ignore the huge problems we face. Instead of attempting to govern, they attack President Barack Obama. Relentless and repetitious character assassination, hyperbole and deception are substituted for serious attention to the needs of those of us who are not wealthy and powerful. Twelve million Americans without jobs, a living wage, access to... Full story »

May 09, 2013, 3:48AM

Entering a career of public service has never been about the money. Whether a social services worker, police officer, firefighter or teacher, this sometimes thankless job is about an inherent desire to positively impact those who need inspiration, protection or guidance. I became a counselor at New Directions, an adolescent treatment facility, because I have experience seeing the effect... Full story »

April 30, 2013, 3:57AM

I am tired of hearing people who complain that our politicians don't do anything. After returning from a 16-day recess on April 8, the House came together as one and hammered out legislation, and found enough money -- despite "The Sequester" -- to allow the air traffic control system to return to full strength. House members approved the measure... Full story »

March 28, 2013, 3:56AM

I agree with your editorial on Monday regarding congressional bonuses ("Parting gifts for the staff"). But I would not limit examples of wasted taxpayer monies to these bonuses. Consider the large staff that serves the president and the fact that 40 of his aides owe $333,485 in back taxes. Consider further the dozens of czars who are paid whatever... Full story »

March 17, 2013, 3:49AM

I am amazed that society is questioning sequestration. After four or five years of $1.2 trillion deficits, wasn't some sacrifice in order? Republicans aren't standing in the way; they are just the only fiscal conscience left in the United States. I marvel at recent letters to the editor lamenting the loss of air shows, cutbacks at NASA, furloughs in... Full story »

March 17, 2013, 3:47AM

"The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. government cannot pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our government's reckless fiscal policies. . . . Increasing America's... Full story »

March 14, 2013, 3:57AM

We have entered a period of across-the-board budget cuts because the government cannot agree on focused budget cuts. Budget cuts are not a new concept. They are made in the private sector frequently. Managers in most companies make an annual budget request and are held accountable for how the budgeted money is spent. Fortunately, the federal government has a... Full story »

February 24, 2013, 3:59AM

The hysteria coming from all corners of Washington regarding the "draconian" cuts coming our way because of the evil monster, sequestration, would be amusing if it weren't such a serious topic that deserves a serious conversation. To make it seem like sequestration is serious cutting, our politicians talk of $1.2 trillion in cuts over 10 years. Gasp! Why stop... Full story »

February 24, 2013, 3:58AM

Regarding the sequester, which is soon to hit us all over the head, it might help to remember that House Speaker John Boehner sold his members on the deal and later bragged about "getting 98 percent of what he wanted." Now he wants to make the sequester an orphan and leave it on the president's doorstep. He denies any... Full story »

January 18, 2013, 3:58AM

Just after leaving his House seat, Republican Steve LaTourette announced he was becoming a lobbyist. Just before leaving office, he called the conservative wing of his party a bunch of "chuckleheads." These would be the Tea Party members, the least likely to do business with a D.C. lobbyist. His disparaging remarks were a parting gift to Democrats, the same folks... Full story »

December 15, 2012, 3:57AM

Since Washington doesn't do a thing about the federal budget until the very last minute, or even later, why are lawmakers so intent on cutting Social Security benefits? The fund has a multitrillion-dollar surplus, which will continue to grow until 2022. I find it hard to believe that Washington is looking out for us beyond 2033, when the fund... Full story »

December 15, 2012, 3:55AM

How serious is President Barack Obama about the budget? Not at all. Regardless of the outcome of the fiscal cliff negotiations, in February the president will ask for another increase in the debt limit. Why? Because even if he gets his tax increase on the top 2 percent of earners, it will only fund the government for eight days.... Full story »

December 06, 2012, 7:00PM

Independent-minded citizens need to speak up and let President Barack Obama and Speaker John Boehner know they support a balanced approach to avoiding the fiscal cliff, The Plain Dealer editorial board writes. Full story »

December 02, 2012, 3:54AM

I am very concerned about what Congress will do about the so-called fiscal cliff. Social Security should be taken out of the equation. By law, Social Security is self-financed. The Social Security Administration spends less than 1 percent of Social Security Trust Fund income each fiscal year to administer Social Security programs, and those trust funds hold $2.7 trillion... Full story »

November 24, 2012, 4:50PM

If President Obama and Congress can agree on terms, their proposed 'down payment' on budget reforms is the best way, for now, to avoid the "fiscal cliff" -- but the down payment better include meaningful compromises, The Plain Dealer editorial board writes. Full story »

November 24, 2012, 3:48AM

Arnold Palmer is a crazed nut job! Phil Mickelson is a tinfoil-hat-wearing madman! Why? Because they insist on enforcing the rules of golf without exception. I have seen both men penalize themselves when they had violated a rule. Our federal government has a set of rules by which it is to operate. Like golf's rules, our Constitution limits what... Full story »

November 08, 2012, 3:49AM

"Elections have consequences." That's what Republicans have told us, time after time. In 2000 (when George W. Bush barely squeaked by in Florida) . . . In 2004 (when Karl Rove orchestrated a series of gay marriage ballot issues in key battleground states to propel conservative evangelicals to swarm to the polls in greater numbers), and . . .... Full story »

November 01, 2012, 3:57AM

The Republican Party once stood for stern, objective realism, but it has morphed into the party of the free lunch. Mitt Romney is running for president on a platform of wishful thinking and evasion of hard choices. He promises to make everybody happy by giving out a 20 percent tax cut that won't add to the deficit, because it... Full story »

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